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Kenosis by Luci Shaw

In sleep his infant mouth works in and out.

He is so new, his silk skin has not yet

been roughed by plane and wooden beam

nor, so far, has he had to deal with human doubt.

He is in a dream of nipple found,

of blue-white milk, of curving skin

and, pulsing in his ear, the inner throb

of a warm heart’s repeated sound.

His only memories float from fluid space.

So new he has not pounded nails, hung a door

broken bread, felt rebuff, bent to the lash,

wept for the sad heart of the human race.

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This is stunning!

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This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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Blessed by this this morning, my friends. The perfect early morning read by the tree. I’m now thinking about how I read O Henry’s Gift of the Magi every year with a group of dear friends when we get together at New Years. I still can’t get through it without balling. Exactly what we need on the cusp of something new.

Also, as a side, never knew the Christmas Bells song was a Longfellow poem. Insert the more you know GIF.

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well this was a delightful bonus feature. I loved it so much!!

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So many wonderful recommendations! Merry Christmas! <3

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One of my favorites:

Angel at the Nativity

Tania Runyan (from her book Simple Weight)

Oh, God, I am heavy

with glory. My head thunders

from singing in the hills.

This night will come once.

Enough bright lights.

Enough shouting

at the shepherds in the fields.

Let me slip into the stable

and crouch among

the rooting swine.

Let me close my eyes

and feel the child’s breath,

this wind that blows

through the mountains and stars,

lifting my weary wings.

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So much goodness here!!

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Loved reading these! I love the song “O Come All You Unfaithful,” which I think was just released a few years ago. It moved me to tears the first several times I heard it.

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Thanks for the Christmas Days recommendation! Will be giving that a shot during the Christmastide.

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